“Nazi Paikidze is the reigning U.S. chess champion, but when the Iranian government told her she had to wear a hijab, the Muslim head veil, and restrict contact with men in order to compete in the world competition hosted by Iran this year, she refused.

The ‘morality laws’ were supported by FIDE, the international organization that coordinates the world chess championship event.

“‘By participating, I would be forced to submit to forms of oppression designed specifically for women,’ Paikidze told Marie Clare magazine.

‘It sets the wrong example, particularly for young girls interested in chess.’“

Paikidze is willing to be very plain in the reasoning behind her decision as she stated on Instagram:

“This is a post for those who don’t understand why I am boycotting FIDE’s decision.

I think it’s unacceptable to host a WOMEN’S World Championship in a place where women do not have basic fundamental rights and are treated as second-class citizens.

For those saying that I don’t know anything about Iran: I have received the most support and gratitude from the people of Iran, who are facing this situation every day.”

She continued:

“‘I will NOT wear a hijab and support women’s oppression. nEven if it means missing one of the most important competitions of my career.’“

At the risk of being called Islamophobic, what we are dealing with here is a religion that oppresses women.

It’s the right of Iran to configure its society without interference from Americans; however, that doesn’t mean Americans have to approve or speak positively of a society that has a primitive view of women.

And it’s very likely that there are Iranian women who are fed up with a society that treats them as second-class citizens.

Paikidze might not realize what she has possibly done, and that is to embolden the women in Iranian society who are fed up with a bunch of portentous Mullahs who use an oppressive ideology to hold on to power.

If she did encourage the women’s rights movement in Iran, she might have won a far more important battle than she would have, had she competed and won the chess tournament.